Ex-CEO of Fiesta Bowl gets 2nd sentence in a week

JACQUES BILLEAUDAssociated Press Published: March 20, 2014 1:25 PM

PHOENIX (AP) -- A former Fiesta Bowl chief executive was sentenced to three years of probation on a state conviction for his acknowledged role in an illegal campaign contribution scheme.

The sentencing Thursday in county court in metro Phoenix marked the second punishment 58-year-old John Junker has received in the last week in the contribution scandal that jeopardized the bowl's NCAA license and led to the ouster of the bowl leader.

A week ago, he was sentenced in federal court to eight months in prison on a conspiracy conviction arising from the scandal.

In both cases, Junker has admitted being involved in a scheme in which bowl employees made illegal campaign contributions to politicians and were reimbursed by the nonprofit bowl.

Employees were reimbursed at least $46,000 for campaign contributions.